How Weather Impacts Drone Operations

Weather conditions are crucial for drone operations. Have you ever faced operational issues or noticed sub-optimal drone performance due to unforeseen weather conditions or inadequate weather planning? 

The Weather Factor in Drone Operations

The weather is often overlooked in commercial drone operations, but it can have a significant impact on your safety, efficiency, and the quality of your work. By understanding the weather forecast, you can make better decisions about when and where to fly your drone, and avoid potential problems.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the key weather factors to consider for commercial drone operations in Australia.

The Wind: More Than Just a Breeze

Wind is one of the most important weather factors to consider for drone operations. Drones have a maximum wind speed that they can safely fly in, which is usually listed in the aircraft’s manual. Exceeding this wind speed can cause the drone to become unstable and difficult to control, which could lead to an accident.

Why Wind Matters

Wind is a significant factor in drone operations. Each Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) has a specific wind limit, usually outlined in the aircraft’s flight manual. These limits are designed to ensure your drone’s stability and its ability to return safely after completing its mission.

Wind Stability and Quality

Steady wind conditions contribute to a drone’s stability, which is crucial for capturing high-quality images. On the flip side, sudden changes in wind speed or direction can affect your drone’s stability, much like turbulence affects an airliner.

Wind Gust Limits

Some drones also come with wind gust limits, providing an extra layer of safety during fluctuating wind conditions.

It’s also important to be aware of sudden changes in wind speed and direction. These can occur when a storm front passes through, or when the wind blows over different types of terrain. Sudden changes in wind can cause the drone to lose altitude or become disoriented, so it’s important to be prepared.

 

Cloud Cover: Not Just a Pretty Sky

The amount and type of cloud can also affect drone operations. Cloud cover can reduce the amount of light available, which can make it difficult to capture high-quality images or videos. It can also make it difficult to see the drone, which could increase the risk of an accident.

Light Conditions

Cloud cover can dramatically affect the lighting conditions during your drone operations. For instance, a day with scattered clouds might not be ideal for capturing consistent orthophotos but could be fine for local video footage.

Consistency is Key

Changing light conditions can result in inconsistent data, making post-processing more challenging. It’s best to operate your drone when the light conditions are stable.

Some types of cloud, such as cumulonimbus clouds, can also be associated with turbulence and other hazardous weather conditions. It’s important to avoid flying in these areas.

 

Visibility and Precipitation: Clear Skies or Rain Check?

Visibility is another important factor to consider for drone operations. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requires that drone pilots maintain a beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) with their drone at all times. This means that you must be able to see the drone clearly enough to avoid obstacles and other aircraft.

Low visibility conditions, such as fog, rain, and snow, can make it difficult to maintain BVLOS. If visibility is reduced, you may need to cancel or postpone your flight.

Precipitation can also damage drones, so it’s important to avoid flying in rain or snow.

Weather Tools: Your Best Mate for Planning

It’s important to check the weather forecast before each flight to make sure that it’s safe to fly. You should also monitor the weather conditions during your flight and be prepared to land immediately if the weather changes.

There are a number of weather tools available to help you plan your drone flights. These include:

• Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website: The BOM website provides a variety of weather information, including forecasts, warnings, and radar images.
• Airservices Australia website: The Airservices Australia website provides aviation weather information, such as wind speed and direction, cloud cover, and visibility.
• Drone weather apps: There are a number of drone weather apps available, which can provide detailed weather information for your specific location.

Conclusion: Weather Wisdom for Successful Drone Operations

Understanding the intricacies of weather can significantly improve your drone’s performance and the quality of your work. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a commercial drone operator, a bit of weather wisdom can go a long way.

• Be aware of the different types of weather conditions that can occur in Australia, such as bushfires and thunderstorms.
• Avoid flying in extreme weather conditions, such as high winds,rain, or low visibility.
• Be aware of the local weather forecast and be prepared to land immediately if the weather changes.
• Fly your drone in a safe and responsible manner, and always follow the CASA regulations.

So, the next time you’re planning a drone operation, don’t just hope for the best—plan for it. Equip yourself with the right tools and knowledge to make informed decisions. After all, a well-planned drone operation is a successful one. Happy flying!